Not a fan of the "the shoe snob" blog (a well chosen name for the blog, admittedly). He recently wrote a post on expectations at different price levels that can be summarized as: "if you spend less than $1500 and expect to get anything besides rubbish then you're an idiot". I guess he wanted to make it clear to everyone that he can afford to drop thousands of dollars on a pair of shoes. His fans are impressed, I'm sure.

@spencer.watches

3 жыл бұрын

I read a similar article from a very large online "fashion enthusiast" magazine that talked about dress shoes... not as insane as $1500, but they basically ridiculed any shoes under $300. Which is still a very high price for many people, and you can certainly get decent shoes for less. Much less, if you thrift or buy used.

@CobblerBob

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry for missing your comment! I know what you mean… the best cut of Wagyu steak is great to watch on KZread, but if I’m going out to eat, I’ll probably buy a Ribeye or Sirloin.

Been a while, good to see ya back!

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Another video coming within the week!

Nice shine and great video, Bob. Wishing you all the best in 2021.

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir! Same to you!

@eyeheartsushi2212

3 жыл бұрын

@@CobblerBob Thanks!

Great video to end the year. Due to the current situation thrifting for me has been at a minimum. But keep up the good work and have a safe new year!

I always enjoy watching one of your videos. This time I learned a lot about rapid Blake stitch shoes which I had no knowledge about, so many thanks for sharing that information. Given the construction of the Ferragamo shoes, I agree with your assessment as to the fact that these shoes are hardly worth more than somewhere in the $250-$295 range. With your reconditioning efforts these Ferrogamos will make a nice addition to your collection of shoes. You did a very good job shining the shoes, in particular with your mirror shine of the cap toes. Another fine video Bob, rounding out a year of many fine videos. I hope to see you keep up the great work during 2021. I wish you and your family a healthy, safe, prosperous and happy New Year!...Ed

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Maybe theyre worth closer to $350-$400 with the hidden channel stitch, but still... I agree, the name drives the price up.

Amazing information provided......attention to detail

I would have submerged them in a bucket of water then ironed over the vamps with a wet cloth to get rid of the creases.

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

I thought of that, and ALMOST did, but I also felt there was some risk with that process. I didn't show it in the video bc I deleted it in the interest of time, but off camera I soaked the uppers by spraying them with a 50/50 alcohol-water mix from a spray bottle, and put tight shoe trees in, and massaged the leather. It helped a little. Maybe with another pair I'll have a little more guts and try.

Happy New Year Bob! Terrific video. I think Ferragamo’s look sleek and nice but, like you said, you are paying for a name. You should do well with these. They will have wide appeal and you can never go wrong with black Oxford. Best of luck in 2021!

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I think they're a graceful shape & whole cuts seem premium.

Must have been honeys when they were brand new! Ferragamo makes great shoes and has great quality leather and maintains high quality control so at least you know you are getting something decent. Nice clean up and quite a deal.

The thrift shops here in Los Angeles are bulging with goodies (flawless Thursday Boots this week for $11!); I think it's year-end closet cleaning season. I counted over 20 Ferragamos here at the UCLA shop (silly overpriced @ $40), so someone had a recent purge.

@CobblerBob

2 жыл бұрын

Wow!

It has been my experience...that one cannot beat the durability and quality/comfort of a Goodyear welted shoe. With that said...what you get with a shoe of that substantibility, you get large, heavy, clunky American and British made shoes, but very well made. On the other hand...with most Italian and Spanish made shoes...you get a much sleeker, lighter, and streamlined shoe, that uses the Blake Rapid or Blake stitched method. Obviously...to me anyway, not quite as durable. But it has also been my experience, shoes from Italy and Spain...tend to be made with very high quality premium full grain leather. They seem to me...to be much softer and much more supple. So it is kind of a trade off. With Ferragamo, you usually get a very high quality leather...with a cheaper Blake Rapid or Blake stitched shoe, compared to Goodyear welted. I guess it kind of depends on what one is looking for. Personally...because I am a Texan, (and I love and own several pairs of "heavy" boots, (Luchesse, Tony Lama, Nocona, etc), I prefer the more durable Allen Edmonds, Alden, and English made brands). They are just so doggone durable. But it is nice to own a few pairs of Italian or Spanish made shoes...just for the slim and sleekness of the look. I surmise, that what one really is paying for with a Ferragamo, (and other Italian/Spanish made shoes), is yes...the brand name, and high quality supple leather. Other than that...American and British made shoes, are in my opinion...much better constructed. I am a thrifter as well, (just recently found a pair of dark brown horsebit Ferragamo loafers, for $9.99 at Goodwill), so I bought them...but would never pay full price for a pair. Those prices are just not practical to me, and I don't...just have to have that, "brand name", on the bottom of my shoes. Not that there is anything wrong with that...to each his own I say. But yes, I just thought I would give my two cents as to what one is really paying for when it comes to certain "styles" of men's shoes. With that said...I must say...the Ferragamo horsebit loafers soft leather I bought...are absolutely divine. I can wear them, without socks, and they feel like a Sperry boat shoe. So very soft and comfortable. The leather...is like butter. Much softer than any Allen Edmonds or Church's shoes I own. Love your channel Robert...keep up the great work. I have learned a lot from you. Two thumbs up sir...👍😎👍

@CobblerBob

Жыл бұрын

VERY well put. I gues this is why fashion keeps being debated and discussed for generations... there is no one right answer. I'm with your sentiment; I've thrifted Ferragamos and even Gucci shoes, and especially with the men's Gucci, I would never pay that price for them personally. Like you said... our preference.

Eva, was the wife of Argentinian Dictator Juan Peron. She was very beautiful and stylish.

@gregorythomas2674

3 жыл бұрын

Of course, and there was the famous play of her life on Broadway that ran for decades which later became a movie that starred Madonna...Evita.

Hey Robert! Another interesting video! Good find!! Are you planning to install your sole "protectors" on these? PS: I scuffed a pair of my black AE Cliftons pretty bad (now a spot of fuzzy leather about 1/2 size of dime...at the toe). Do you have any videos to show how to repair/deal with that? THANKS!!!

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! No, I'm not planning on installing the sole protectors because: 1. I won't keep the shoes 2. This kind of "higher end" shoe to me isn't something that would be worn outside a lot in inclement weather, or "pounding the streets" 3. The soles are worn enough where it would be difficult to cut the edges of the soles neatly. 4. I just couldn't bring myslef to cover up a beautiful hidden channel stitch! Yes! Try this: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pqCExZuro6_fcdY.html

Great video ,, wondering where you been

I went with Blake because it fits a student budget well. It's still much better than the Cole Haans and Kenneth Coles young guys wear

I like blake stitch Ferragamo for special occasions, they are more slick and their leather shine more. For everyday wear I use the more clunky C&J, Carmina, Allen Edmonds… goodyear welted.

I know you have said you live in Northeast Ohio as do I. I am pretty sure I saw this exact same pair of Ferragamo's earlier this month at "VDO" in Akron before you bought them. I remember all the red mark downs on the sole. But they were too small for me. Small world.

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

;-)

Hello Robert, have you ever tried using lanolin as a conditioner? I have gotten tremendous results in conditioning from it.

@CobblerBob

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, kind of. I've used and sometimes still use "Tanners Blend" from Ashland Leather Co. Ashland Leather is run by a guy that worked (or may still work for) the famous Horween Leather tannery in Chicago. He says it is used in the manufacturing process of Horween leather, and is lanolin based. It seems to absorb pretty easily, but I feel Like Pure Polish Cleaner Conditioner does a better job of keeping the leather moist for a longer period of time. That's just my opinion, and pure lanolin may perform differently. Check out my "Leather Talk with Phil from Ashland Leather" video series if you want the info straight from the horse's mouth.

@BadBart2217

2 жыл бұрын

@@CobblerBob Thank you so much Robert!

Unusually funky music choice starting at 33:00 for such a conservative dude. You can't judge a book...Great instructional video by the way. 👌

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! LOL. In my personal life I love stuff from Jazz to Metallica to Coffey Anderson to Justin Timberlake. Journey and Queen are my all time favorite bands though.

In Mexico the way they prove that their product is real leather is by taking a lighter to it. Real leather is hard to burn.

Total cost? I missed it earlier....

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

I got them for $10.68 😬

Acetone on the leather to reform and stiffen it. Will decrease creases

orange oil being used on leather i can see being good, but with rubber dainite soles if any gets on it surely the limonene in orange oil would be a very bad idea as it dissolves rubber

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

That's a good question... you might want to email Andy, owner of Pure Polish. I find it hard to believe the small amount of oil in the polish would dissolve a dainite or equal rubber sole that goes through city streets though. The ingredients they chose are used because they are more compatible with shoes... Andy is very personable. www.purepolishproducts.com.

@bgray1009

3 жыл бұрын

@@CobblerBob i don't think it would dissolve quality rubber like dainite or vibram but it may cause slight discolouration, but i really don't know.

Really intrigued by pure polish. I think it makes total sense to use fully non toxic substances for leather longevity and health as well as your own. My God did someone write their algebra homework on the bottom? 😂

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

Algebra... 😂 check out my recent interview with Pure Polish owner!

Nice shoes Robert don't waste your money on Saphir stain remover does not work Ive been trying to tell people not to waste their money on that crap tried before and never again acetone is way better

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

True, but the Reno Mat is less harsh, there are occaisions where acetone would remove the finish of the leather where Reno Mat will not.

Goes to show that you would not be able to tell such an expensive brand from cheaper brands if it was not for branding… makes you wonder what we truly pay for

Robert, you really need to go with the bar lacing system with flat dress laces (available from Kirby’s shop). It really makes the shoes look far better than the crossed lacing. It elevates the overall look of the shoe. Additionally never use a color of the lace that didn’t come with the shoe, as it cheapens the look substantially and looks very trendy rather than classy.Give it a try at least and then make your own decision. Another trick I’ve learned is that if you use a navy blue polish on black shoes it adds a depth of color, that while almost imperceptible, it adds dimension to the shoe color. Think of a young Asian woman with black hair, when looking at her hair from a short distance you can actually see a blue tint to her hair. You spend so much time and effort on beautifying the shoe these last couple of tricks really elevate the final product. Love the show, just thinking you could try the last couple of things that elevate the shoe.

@wjvlodek8769

3 жыл бұрын

Good tips...THANKS!!

@CobblerBob

3 жыл бұрын

good point Timothy... I actually should have said this in the video, but I thatch laced them for 2 reasons: 1. I don't know for SURE that it's the way they came, but that's the way they were, and I assume that's the way they came 2. When I did bar lace them (I bar lace almost all my AE Oxfords) the laces were a tad too long and it looked odd. Also, unlike AE's with an even set of eyelets, you have to criss cross at least one lace, so I put them back to thatch. It's of course simple to change so not permanent. Thanks for your comment and watching! I have never tried the Navy polish trick. I have heard of that, now you've got me curious! I may order some Navy polish just to try it!

@Jar0fMay0

3 жыл бұрын

@@CobblerBob if it works well, make a video about it. Love to see how it looks

:)